On January 30, 2026, Microsoft's PowerToys team unveiled a design proposal on GitHub, outlining plans to introduce a novel feature for Windows 11 dubbed the 'Command Palette Dock'. This innovative addition is set to function as a 'secondary taskbar'. Previously, Microsoft had declined users' requests to relocate the default taskbar to the top or sides of the screen, citing concerns that such a move would disrupt the system's visual harmony. However, the new Command Palette Dock transcends these native constraints, offering users the flexibility to dock it at any screen edge.

From a functional standpoint, this Dock enables users to pin frequently accessed applications and provides real-time dynamic information displays, such as CPU and memory usage. When it comes to personalization, users have the freedom to customize its background color, transparency levels, and icon arrangement. Presently, this feature is in the 'request for comments' phase, with the development team actively soliciting feedback from the community to refine and enhance its capabilities.